Caithness cannabis farm suspect denies he gave names of accused pair to police in Wick to ‘get out of trouble’

A suspect in an investigation into a cannabis farm in Caithness named the two men charged with running it.

Peter Campbell (32) identified them on the second day of the trial, at Wick Sheriff Court on Friday, as Philip Nicholson (53), from Scotscalder, and Damon Mackay (35), of Huddart Street, Wick.

They have both pleaded not guilty on indictment to operating the cannabis farm at Sackville House, Bower, and also deny having been concerned in the supply of the Class B drug, between April 6 and May 4, 2021.

Mr Campbell was asked about an interview he gave police officers in Wick, in which he named the two accused.

Defence solicitor Atlanta Jack put it to him that he had done so because he didn’t want to get himself into any trouble.

Mr Campbell replied: “No.”

However, he was subsequently removed from the police list of suspects.

Earlier, Mr Campbell, who had access to Sackville House, told how he had “stumbled upon” electrical equipment there and “a roomful of green” (cannabis plants) and thought that “there was something going on”.

He told the jury, previously, that Nicholson and Mackay had been occasional visitors to Sackville House to get parts from old vehicles.

Mr Campbell also stated that he and members of his family had been threatened not to “name names” in connection with who might have been involved in the cannabis operation.

Police officers recovered 92 cannabis plants and electrical gear associated with cannabis production when they searched the historic property.

Evidence agreed by the prosecution and defence revealed that “high and low” levels of DNA belonging to the two accused were found on items recovered by officers from Sackville House.

The trial continues on Monday.